A NEW Way to Edit Color Photos? With SURPRISING Results?

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In this video, I demonstrate how to edit a color photo by first converting it to black and white, editing it from there then, at the end, add back the color.

You can find Mark McGee's video on this technique here:

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Thank you!

[AnthonyMorganti]

YOU can help me help others learn photography. You can quickly offer your support here where I receive 100% of your kind gift:


You can change the default amount to the amount you'd like to donate.

In this video, I demonstrate how to edit a color photo by first converting it to black and white, editing it from there then, at the end, add back the color.

You can find Mark McGee's video on this technique here:

Please help support my channel – consider purchasing my Lightroom Presets:

** I am an affiliate for all of the other companies mentioned below EXCEPT Affinity Photo.

Please read my Code of Ethics Statement:


Anthony Morganti’s MUST HAVE applications:

At least one Non-Destructive RAW Editor


At least one FULL Editing App:


My MUST-HAVE Plugins:

*Save 15% on all Topaz Labs apps — use the Promo Code: AMDISC15
or instead of Topaz Denoise AI:

*Save 10% with Discount Code: Morganti10

** Note that all of the promo codes listed above may not work on sale products.

*** I am an affiliate for all of the companies listed EXCEPT Affinity Photo and Capture One. Please read my Code of Ethics Statement:



Thank you!

[oldtvnut]

This method is fun to play around with, and if your intent is to do that for inspiration, go for it!
BUT, in the end, you need to be able to critique your own result and notice if some things got screwed up in the process and should have been done differently. Like a lot of other knob-twisting techniques (like playing with Calibration first), this can easlily become no more than "ooh it's different" rather than having an idea of what you want and having the perception to see if you got there.
That final critique is not easy, as you can become accustomed to an image that is really far overdone from what you intended, but not noticeable until you look at it again weeks or months later. I would suggest always doing an X-Y comparison with a more usual processing sequence and verifying that you like the new one better.

[apeel]

You have likely processed these images in the past using your ‘normal’ color processing techniques. I think it would be interesting to compare your previous color processed versions with the results of this technique. Would you consider doing a followup video that showed us the difference results?

[kungula]

I would use this method only when using selective colours. Thank you Anthony for the tip.

[kemerthomson]

A very interesting technique. I’m not sure I would use it for a final photo myself, but it is a good exercise to understand color theory and the use of the HSL and color grading tools.

[scottchmelar]

I just tried it on a "finished" concert photo...concert lighting can turn my brain to mush..to my surprise the Before / After showed a big improvement!

[britishrose]

I've always done it this way :)
I tend to add the saturation to a colour to the minimum amount till it looks ok then do the luminance for that individual colour then move to the next colour - I don't do all the saturation first. For anything with foliage I have the yellow brighter than the green so it adds nice highlight to trees etc.

[ZappaBlues]

I don't really work with natural/realistic colours. A majority of my work is in B&W. But recently I did some work in colour that was involved desaturation, shifting the hue a bit and colour grading. It suited the subject and mood of what I was photographing.

[blheron]

I have done something similarly for years with good effect. My workflow is like this - Export to Photoshop and then to Nik Silver Efex. I do my processing in Silver Efex, often adding some tooth and structure and then create a luminosity blend in PS that restores color - then back to LR for final touches.

[j.j.mahanyjr]

Interesting, I agreenot something I would use regularly. Thanks for thought thou .

[dimitristsagdis]

Do you have a video explaining colour grading? What these 3 balls do and why you go highlight cooler and mid-tones warmer for example.

[TC_Conner]

Why not use “Auto” in the Basic tab after you bring all the sliders down in the HSL tab instead of making all the develop adjustments one at a time? Especially if you are wanting to do a quick edit as you mentioned.

[michaelschmitt]

I rarely do landscape and nature photography; mostly "people", both posed and unposed. I wanted to see how this would work on a recent ambient light portrait shoot. I liked the control I got in the various colors and tones. I may do this some more.

[renatomechica]

Mark's video shows some interesting cases where this technique works very well with beautiful results. But it doesn't seem to be a technique to be used all the time.

[benyshachar]

Hello when we use HSL for B&W can we muve all slider to min. by one klick and not one by one? Thank You

[johnpollock]

I don't see the advantage to doing this, but I will give it a try to see.

[patrickdelahanty]

Interesting, but strikes me as a lot of work. I also wonder if the same results can be achieved without going to black and white and then returning to color.

[michaelpegg]

On fuji how about setting film simulation to monochrome then edit and then turn film simulation back to colour?

[mdturnerinoz]

WHY is YouTube leaving the date off? The date of the video's publication helps viewers determine if we might have seen a video already. This makes NO SENSE, YouTube!

[jss]

If you edit the picture your normal way and then later this way do you get different (better) results?